Porsche states popularity of the PDK dual clutch transmission could kill the manual transmission option in the next few years - PDK is coming for the 991 GT3

Porsche states popularity of the PDK dual clutch transmission could kill the manual transmission option in the next few years - PDK is coming for the 991 GT3

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Porsche states popularity of the PDK dual clutch transmission could kill the manual transmission option in the next few years - PDK is coming for the 991 GT3

The reality is the move to the PDK is a natural one especially when fuel economy and performance are factored in. The shifts of the PDK simply can not be beat by a human being with a manual. Not to mention the PDK dual clutch gearbox is simply more popular. If customers continue to opt for it, the manual will naturally be phased out.

Porsche R&D vice president Bunno Brandlhuber stated as much, “As far as I know the take-up rates of the PDK in the 911 is up to 80 percent and in the Boxster and Cayman it is around 60-70 percent. And it is increasing. Maybe someday the question will come whether we need a manual gearbox anymore. That question may be answered in two years or five years time, but the customer will dictate this for us. There are some Porsche enthusiasts who prefer [a manual gearbox] and we will continue to offer this in the meantime. But we are constantly looking at the customer behaviour and maybe the time will come when the manual transmission is an old style. Maybe one day it will become irrelevant.”

He also confirmed PDK for the 991 GT3 and did not mention if a manual would be an option. A shame to see even the company that debuted the 7-speed manual gearbox admitting that things are trending, at least for them, toward the death of the manual transmission.

It's kind of sad to see manual transmissions on their way out. Yet at the same time, I don't think I'd really want one compared to a good dual clutch transmission. It's hard to say no to faster, smoother gear changes and having the option to leave the car in a fully automatic mode.

It's kind of sad to see manual transmissions on their way out. Yet at the same time, I don't think I'd really want one compared to a good dual clutch transmission. It's hard to say no to faster, smoother gear changes and having the option to leave the car in a fully automatic mode.

I still want them to give us the option. I don't see why it has to be one or the other.

Clutches are a lot easier to replace and upgrade on a car equipped with a manual transmission.

And a manual transmission also makes it more likely for the driver to damage the clutch. With the PDK, driver error is taken out of the equation giving a much longer service life and better performance. Kind of a no brainer if your looking for longevity and performance.

And a manual transmission also makes it more likely for the driver to damage the clutch. With the PDK, driver error is taken out of the equation giving a much longer service life and better performance. Kind of a no brainer if your looking for longevity and performance.

Right, but someone who knows how to operate a manual transmission and likes to modify their car will reach a point were the stock setup is no longer adequate, and swapping out a clutch for one with more torque capacity is much easier to do in a manual.

Right, but someone who knows how to operate a manual transmission and likes to modify their car will reach a point were the stock setup is no longer adequate, and swapping out a clutch for one with more torque capacity is much easier to do in a manual.

Good point - but that assumes the PDK cannot handle added torque. I honestly don't know what how much it can handle without having issues....

Right, but someone who knows how to operate a manual transmission and likes to modify their car will reach a point were the stock setup is no longer adequate, and swapping out a clutch for one with more torque capacity is much easier to do in a manual.

Swapping clutch packs in dual clutch transmissions is eventually going to be routine.